A Mormon Woman's Reflections on Life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

We’re all thinking of ways to simplify Christmas and our lives. Downsizing to a townhome has given me an increased sense of freedom, but it, too, calls for adjustments. Sometimes I think too far ahead to needing space for my grandchildren and children to stay overnight–but in time, maybe this will be rented and I will find a place in a warmer climate, continuing my work remotely. Today is sufficient, and we love our small abode. We saw miracles in having the way opened to sell our home, qualify for this, and have it all happen. I want it to be a haven, a warm and happy place… last night it was full of laughter, yesterday it was a celebration of Talia’s 16th birthday… As we pulled out her elementary school book and read the most important things about Talia–her love of her sister, of friends and family, of country, of Choco, her guinea pig then, and her love of chocolate , we reminisced… Her friends showed overwhelming love to her thru a decked-out surprise party, dolling her up, dressing her up, and taking her to Tallie’s home for a feast and fun–they sat her on a throne and sang and played together. Thanks Chelle, Cassidy, Tallie, Laura, Matt, Matt, Eric, Steven, Dallin, and who did I miss? You are awesome friends. We shared a home evening with friends, and Kira shared the talk and Fellowship of the Unashamed with our friends. We also watched, Do You Have Room?  Beautiful, Shawna! Take a look.

I think of ways to make Christmas meaningful. Serve–have the girls reach out everyday in service so it is a lifestyle, not a project. We’re excited about a few of these things coming up….including a family to be surprised…

We watched Journey to Bethlehem last week, and I really enjoyed it. Seeing Cecilia Farr and President Ludlow was also amazing. She was my companion on my mission to Frankfurt Germany and President Ludlow was our Mission President after Keith B. McMullin.

I thought I could read this on Christmas morning–about an African journey–to give us a sense of what we have (I’m giving one large gift to girls and a stocking this year.)

Inside the bank, people stood in lines. everything moved so slowly. It seemed everyone was used to it except us. I would wait in line for two hours (no kidding) just to change a twenty-dollar bill.
to kwachas…..
‘No problem’ [they say].
“I would wait at the post office all afternoon for the postal worker to come back form lunch. I would wait for a bus, for a taxi, for my supper, … I am always reassured with the same familiar words.
‘Yes, yes, no problem, no problem.’

I have no idea why it takes so long. It’s not as if anyone has anything pressing to do. No one has put anyone on hold because there are no phones. no one is stuck in a traffic jam because there is no traffic. no one has a more important client to deal with because there are no clients. nothing but time. Their time. Zam-time.

I remember one day we went to use a computer at an Internet cafe. There was a small, barely visible note hanging on the door.

Closed for two days, gone to Lusaka to see my sister.

Great! That was the only Internet in town. The bank is the worst. Why? Everyone in the bank, the tellers as well as the people in line are dealing with such small amounts of money. It isn’t like they are opening checking accounts, almost no one has a checking account, nor are they giving anyone a loan. They do not loan money either. They also do not have credit cards. It is strictly a cash society. How can banks loan people money and charge interest when unemployment is at 95%? People would be thrilled to borrow but would never be able to pay it back.

I’ll continue with more later, but this comes from Foreign Flowers, An African Journey by Peggy Rogers.  Certainly there is abundance in all the earth, and somehow, as she says, the Lord must desire some in between the extremes we see.  I hope I can find ways to find the balance and to give back in better ways.

Downloading MacJournal trial to see how that works interfacing with this…and getting all that info down in one central place. Keep feeling need to record, record, record, and yet want to organize the study journal, prayer list, insights, work happenings, girls’ happenings in searchable ways… Liked my former online journal that allowed me topical lists and indexing but this may be the mix for keeping up in blog-space as well. Will keep you posted.

Reading Bianca and Dave’s blog gives me the yearning for Italy, to learn more of the language and take girls there. Kira so wants to learn to make pasta from scratch, is using Trifiletti now as her surname on Facebook, and feels this kinship with Italy that can only be explained through the Spirit of Elijah and through the heritage she has felt through those ancestors and our family ties.

Talia is well-occupied with science project, set design for Les Mis, writing stories, and getting ready to celebrate her big 16th birthday.

So much visible, so much invisible that counts.. Trying to devise a non-verbal way to stop any unsoothing tone that may arise in the home. I really love total harmony and have experienced it much and want it to be there with not just most conversations but all. I will propose something, Any ideas out there?

Oh, visit my friend’s site for Christmas wrap that depicts the birth of the Savior–bringing Him back into Christmas! And AFA is selling buttons.

For a really meaningful gift, you can choose a Christ-centered print by Liz Lemon that we will be offering on our More Good Foundation sites, and 50% of the donation will go to the More Good Foundation which enables and facilitates online sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ to honest seekers.

For those in heat of trial–I’d rather be in the fiery furnance with God than anywhere else without Him. As long as He is with us, as long as we know and feel His presence, the earnest money on our salvation, and the inexplicable joy and peace His love and guidance provides, we can get through, and ultimately we can be renewed.

Any used shoes? My daughter is collecting them for Ethiopia.

Any baby clothes to donate to some in need in Italy, please let me know.

Kira and I had wonderful visit with Stake President in our new ward. She will bear her testimony at our first Stake Conference in less than 2 weeks in the Tabernacle.

Love to hear your thoughts.